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Key Points
- EnergyAustralia continues to work around the clock to make our generation available to supply homes and businesses.
- Mt Piper power station in NSW has both generating units online.
- Yallourn power station in Victoria has three of four generating units online.
- Hallett power station will be offline for the remainder of the week due to works being undertaken by ElectraNet.
- EnergyAustralia is bringing more flexible capacity into the system through our energy projects in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
- EnergyAustralia supports an LNG import terminal that would improve energy security for future winters and make more fuel available in the southern states.
- EnergyAustralia recognises that people face tough situations at different times in their lives. Customers experiencing financial difficulty are encouraged to reach out (small businesses dial 1800 146 749, residential customers dial 133 466).
Statement attributed to Mark Collette, Managing Director at EnergyAustralia:
“We are doing all that we can to make our generators available to provide supply into the system as and when needed.
“At Mt Piper in New South Wales, our two generating units are online. The team did a wonderful job over the weekend of ensuring the plant was available to support the evening energy peaks.
“Mt Piper continues to be there when it’s needed most, despite lower coal production and deliveries than planned from its primary supplier at Springvale mine.
“At Yallourn power station in Victoria, three of four generating units are online, with the return of a fourth unit planned for the end of the week.
“We have informed the Australian Energy Market Operator that one unit at Yallourn will be coming offline for maintenance within the next 24 hours. While this work takes place, our Jeeralang, Tallawarra and Newport gas assets remain available.
“Meanwhile, Hallett power station will be offline for the remainder of the week due to works being undertaken by ElectraNet, South Australia’s transmission network provider.
“In all, our gas assets have been running seven times the volume compared with the same period last year, playing an important role of keeping the lights on for customers.
“At EnergyAustralia, we continue to be focused on introducing more flexible capacity to support a smooth transition of energy system, that in future will be dominated by renewables.
“An example includes our gas and hydrogen powered Tallawarra B in NSW. One of the best aspects of our development is that we will be investigating ways to ramp up the amount of green hydrogen that can be used with support from the Port Kembla Hydrogen Hub.
“We are also investing through our offtakes with Kidston pumped hydro, the Darlington Point and Riverina batteries, and our development projects including the Wooreen battery in Victoria and Lake Lyell pumped hydro in New South Wales.
“Meanwhile, gas prices have increased from $10 per gigajoule to $40 in the past 12 months. This higher gas price means gas generation is significantly more expensive than last year – unfortunately this is contributing to higher energy prices for customers.
“EnergyAustralia highlights the ongoing importance of access to fuels for energy security, particularly during peak times. We welcome an LNG import terminal, such as the Port Kembla project, which could improve energy security for future winters.
“We believe gas will continue to be an important element in Australia’s net zero energy system. The Hoegh Galleon floating terminal could play a critical role in increasing gas storages.”
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Background
EnergyAustralia’s project pipeline
EnergyAustralia is exploring a range of energy projects to help bring more capacity into the market and support the volume of renewables entering the system.
Our recent announcements include:
- investment in a 350MW, 4-hour battery at Worreen.
- construction of Australia’s first hydrogen/gas peaking power station, Tallawarra B, with over 300MW capacity: all greenhouse gas emissions to be fully offset over its operational life.
- our storage services agreement for the 250MW Kidston pumped storage hydro project in Queensland.
- underpinning the Darlington Point and Riverina batteries for a combined 90MW.
Support for customers
EnergyAustralia’s EnergyAssist program means the power won’t be disconnected and debt collection activities won’t be initiated. Residential customers on the program also have access to tailored payment plans, energy audits, information on grant programs and advice on energy usage.
Through Rapid Business Assist, specialist advisors can discuss ways for EnergyAustralia’s small and medium-sized business customers to lower energy consumption, the government energy relief subsidies available, and options for tailored payment schedules.
Image: Maintaining soot blowers at Mt Piper power station in NSW, which keep the boilers clean and allow for an efficient operation.